Duncan Aviation announced that Nick Hansen has accepted the Safety Specialist position at the company’s Lincoln, Nebraska, facility. This position is integral to ensuring the safety of Duncan Aviation team members and clients, and Hansen relies on the leadership skills he developed in his nine years in the United States Marine Corps to help team members see the value of safety issues.
Hansen joined Duncan Aviation in 2012 as a Return to Service Inspector I (RTS), and he worked with the Installations and Fabrications Departments, inspecting parts and installations for Supplemental Type Certificates (STCs) and Major Repairs and Alterations (MRA) projects. As an RTS, Hansen’s job was to ensure conformity to design data and verify product quality. When he transitioned to RTS II, Hansen performed required inspections on flight-critical systems for multiple departments, and he coached other inspectors, helping develop their regulatory knowledge and promoting continued improvement in the levels of quality.
“The relationships Nick has built during his five years will help him get people involved and positively drive the safety culture here at Duncan Aviation,” says Manager of the Professional Development Training Team Felicia Nicholsen.
In this position, Hansen will be responsible for the continued safety and well-being of Duncan Aviation team members and visitors to the facility. He’ll serve as a company resource for all safety-related topics, oversee the company’s workers compensation program, investigate near misses, and inspect safety equipment.
“I’ll work closely with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and other national, state and local agencies to ensure Duncan Aviation remains in compliance with various safety regulations,” says Hansen. “I’ll be leading the Duncan Aviation safety committee and coordinating with our first responder team, as well. I’m excited to help grow the safety culture and work with multiple departments to achieve our goals.”
During Hansen’s tenure in the Marines, he deployed to Iraq and earned his bachelor degree in management from the Park University (Kansas City, Missouri) satellite location on the U.S. Marine Corps Air Station in Cherry Point, North Carolina. Hansen performed duties as an Aircraft Instructor and Maintenance Controller, and while serving as an Instructor, he earned his Navy Master Training Specialist qualification, designed/conducted multiple curriculums and mentored new instructors. As a Maintenance Controller, he coordinated with multiple departments to ensure all aircraft discrepancies were addressed, resulting in 4,000 mishap-free flight hours.
“I love working at Duncan Aviation. I’ve been here for almost five years, and even with more than 2,000 employees, it still feels like family,” says Hansen. “It’s no wonder we have so many team members in Silver Wings (team members who’ve worked at Duncan Aviation for 25 years or more). It’s just one of those places where you know people have your back and will take care of you.”
Hansen and his wife Kayla have been married for 10 years and have two children, Lauren (10) and Connor (5). Spending time with his family is important to Hansen, and he also enjoys golfing, fishing, and playing ice hockey.
